ABC Prayer (cont.)

Utterly depraved I am in myself,
Unable to even seek You.
Under the curse I no longer am,
Unworthy to worthy, You‘ve moved me.

Victory is found only in Jesus,
Victory over death at the cross.
Voices come humbly, repenting to You.
Voices bring praises to You.

Why must I keep sinning?
Will I ever understand
What it took to pay my debt,
What You did that I might live?

eXcellent is the mercy You have.
eXtreme is the patience You bear.
eXemplary is the nature that‘s You.
eXhilarating is Your love for me.

You alone are God.
Yahweh is Your name.
You hold it all together.
You, Oh God, are sovereign.

Zealous for You I pray You make me,
Zealous to know Your word,
Zealous to seek You each day in prayer,
Zealous to make You known.

Prayer for Baby Matt

Lord, I pray for Baby Matt,
Born not so long ago.
He’s sick and we are puzzled,
But we know You’re in control.

I know that You can heal him,
And I know You will.
Whether here on earth, soon
Or in heaven, he’ll be healed.

For his life right now,
I pray Your love he feels.
Thank you for his parents
Who before You do kneel.

Thank you that Matt’s life
Will make an earthly difference
He’s brought many to Your throne
To pray with more vigilance.

My prayer for him is to glorify you,
And I see Your will being done.
I look at his story and pictures,
And I know many lives he will touch.

So bless each time he’s rocked.
Bless each time he’s hugged.
Bless each time it’s whispered,
“You’re a baby boy I love.”

Please bless the arms that hold him.
Bless the ones that truly care.
Give them special grace, Lord,
For all that they will bear.

Oh, thank you for this family
Sharing your love with another
For the mother and the father,
For the sister and the brother.

Lord, I pray for Baby Matt,
Born not so long ago.
I thank you for your peace and love
Through him You mightily show.

ABC Prayer (continued)

Open my heart to love more.
Open my eyes to see you all around.
Open my ears to hear Your voice.
Oh, that I might know You more!

Prayer is a gift You have given:
Placing my cares before You,
Praying to Christ for Your glory,
Powerful God, lowly me.

Quietly may I come to You,
Quick to listen and slow to speak.
Quietly may I wait upon You,
Quietly serve as you would.

Rescue me from myself.
Revive me with Your breath of life.
Renew in me a spirit that earnestly seeks You.
Reveal more and more of Your truth.

Sustain me with Your words of life.
Surround me with Your love.
Surrendered I come bowed before You,
Sovereign Lord that You are.

Tenderly You call me to You.
Totally You love me.
Triumphantly You conquered death.
Truly You have saved me.

Verses from Jeremiah

"Thus says the LORD: 'Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.'" ~Jer 9:23-24~

"There is none like you, O LORD; you are great, and your name is great in might. Who would not fear you, O King of the nations? For this is your due; for among all the wise ones of the nations and in all their kingdoms there is none like you." ~Jer 10:6-7~

"But the LORD is the true God; he is the living God and the everlasting King. At his wrath the earth quakes, and the nations cannot endure his indignation." ~Jer 10:10 ~

"I know, O LORD, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps. Correct me, O LORD, but in justice; not in your anger, lest you bring me to nothing." ~Jer 10:23-24~

"Thus says the LORD: 'Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the LORD. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.'" ~Jer 17:5-8~

Pray for Matt

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“Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress (James 2:20).”

ABC Prayer continued

Hold onto me, Father.
Have me tightly in hand.
Hear me when I call to You.
Hear me when words fail to come.

I want to be nearer to You.
In fellowship, so very close with You.
I’m not sure I know how, or maybe I’m scared.
Indwell me that I might be abiding, secure.

Joy has filled my heart.
Jubilantly I walk through my day,
Just happy to be where I am,
Joyously loving my family.

Keep me always in You, Lord
Keep me ever so near.
Kick away worldly distractions.
Kill what doesn’t bring life.

Love I feel all around me.
Life is truly a gift.
Let me love others like I’m loved.
Lord, may I be more like You.

Mighty are you, King of Kings.
Magnificent are Your works.
Majestically You rule, Lord,
Maker of heaven and earth.

No one else is like You, God.
Nothing else compares.
No other has the power.
No other has the grace.

Prayer on Prayer

May I meet with you, O Lord
In this place called prayer.
You'll bring me to your throne room,
A place I guess I fear.
Alone with you, alone with God,
The only Holy One.
I know I am not worthy.
I'm not sure what to say.
My eyes, they cannot see you,
But I know that You are here.
Help me shed my flesh, Lord,
In spirit come to you.
You want me to be open.
You already know my heart.
But I don't want to break, Lord,
I'm trying to keep it together.
If I go there, I'll melt, Lord,
Your glory is too great.
Hear my voice, saying, "Lord."
Do I hear the words I say?
My Lord has called me to Him.
I must humbly go with Him,
Meet with you in spirit, in truth,
Meet with my loving Father.
What a privilege, what a gift,
Meeting with the King!
I don't want to be fake,
Not empty words to speak.
I want them to go up to you
A fragrant offering.
I want to bring you glory,
To worship from my heart.
Oh, make it right that I might be
Righteous in Your sight.
When I lift my voice,
Help me bow myself,
To know I come before the God,
The Holy, Holy God.
May my requests be selfless.
May thanksgiving fill my mouth.
May praise come forth to reach You.
May I focus all on You.
Hold me when I break, Lord,
As I give it all to You
To rule, to reign - this life of mine;
It already belongs to You.
Help me to get started.
Help me not to stop,
To meet with You forever,
Fellowship without end.

Notes on Romans 13-16

We must submit to authorities, respecting their positions.

The most important thing we can do is love. If we love everything else will follow.

We must live in the light and put aside all that is darkness.

We must not do anything questionable by our faith, and we should be careful to help those around us to stand in their faith.

We must always remember to put others before us and God before all, striving for peace and unity.

We must praise God and love one another.

"Be wise about what is good, and be innocent about what is evil."

As Christians We Should Be Able to Say..

Our bodies are offered to God above
As thanks for His great mercy and love.
Our hearts are humbled and lives set apart,
Each working together; we all have our part.
Our love, it is true for each of our brothers.
We think less of ourselves than we think of all others.
We're zealous for God, and we love what is right.
We hate what is evil; revenge's not our fight.
We joyfully hope and are patient through trails.
We're faithful to pray, to the Lord bring our cries.
We bless and don't curse, work hard to keep peace.
We care for each other without conceit.
We know God's made plans for all of our days
So we live to please Him and walk in His ways.

~reflection on Romans 12